Helping the Economy

Hi All

In an effort to help the economy and advance small business, Fran, Bonnie & I took a road trip yesterday to a couple of local quilt shops. First we went to Smile Spinners in Marysville, PA, and managed to find a few goodies that we just couldn't live without (you know how that is!!). I needed some red fabric for the border of my twisted star, which is the first of three parts for a guild class. I also got some beige for the applique border, which is part two. Then after a great lunch at Isaacs (yummy tomato soup), we stopped at The Fabric Center in Carlisle, PA. Again, you know the drill - we had to pick up a few goodies for our stashes!!! The President would be proud of us!!!

Sundae Quilters

Hi All -
Yesterday the Sundae Quilters got together at my house and, as usual, we had a great time. We celebrated Bonnie's birthday and I made her a Kahlua Cake (recipe below) in honor of the occasion. Fran stitched her a great birthday card - it was a fun time!! Below are some photos of the get together - Here's the recipe for the Kahlua cake -

1 Chocolate cake mix - made into two 8" or 9" layers
1 C. Kahlua
1 large pkg. instant chocolate pudding made up into pudding
1 large container Cool Whip
1 pkg. butter brickle bits (or Heath Bar candy bar chopped up)

DAY BEFORE SERVING:
Bake chocolate cake in two 8" or 9" round layers. Cool. Poke holes with fork in each layer and pour 1/2 C Kahlua over each. Chill overnight in refrigerator.

NEXT DAY:
Assemble cake the following way in a large round bowl:
1 cake layer
1/2 of pudding
1/2 of Cool-whip
brickle bits to taste
Repeat again to make second layer.

This makes a large cake. You can be creative with the shape, e.g. if you have a square bowl, make cake in square shape. I have a round glass salad bowl that I use. You can also use as much Cool-whip as you like. Store in refrigerator - enjoy in moderation!!

Happy Birthday Diane

Yesterday was friend Diane's birthday and we had a great lunch at Montezuma Mexican Restaurant. This was her gift from all the girls in the office. When I saw this pattern, I just knew it was for Diane. It is Joined at the Hip's "Farmyard Friends" from the "Hanging on a Star" series. The hanger is available on the Joined at the Hip website or your local quilt store might stock it. I just might make one for myself, too!!!

On the real estate front, my brother and sister-in-law have sold their home in VA (in 1 week) and will be coming up today to go house hunting for the next few days. They had several bids on their home - we're so excited!!! If they don't find something, they'll be staying here until they do.

Tomorrow is Sundae Quilters day here at my house - looking forward to working on my "Grandmother's Flower Garden" blocks - I'm really enjoying doing them and have started putting them together so that I can free up some of my Mylar templates. (I also get bored doing the same thing over and over - my Mother always said I was a great "starter" but not so good a "finisher" - now I know what she meant!!!) I'll post some pics so you can see what everyone is working on.

Keep smiling and happy quilting!!

Quick Visit

My brother, Jamie, and sister-in-law, Sue, with pooch, Pepper, spent the weekend with us. They are planning on moving up to PA and are looking for houses now - we're so excited that they'll be living closer to us. They have their house up for sale right now in VA and are hoping that it sells soon or they at least get a contract on it so they can really get serious about buying a home up here.


This morning, Sue was making sandwiches for the trip home and had the undivided attention of all three pooches - how's that for being the center of attention!!!



This afternoon after work I'm going to try and get down into the sewing room and work on my UFO for January (Celtic Knotwork). It just seems like time flies by and here it is the middle of January already - I can hardly believe it!!!

Happy quilting and keep smiling -

Oh Boy!!

Well, the applicance fairy (Sears) is delivering a new washer and dryer to my house today. I was finishing up the last dryer load on Tuesday and my dryer started making a horriffic sound - clunk, clunk, churn, whap, whap!!! Since the dryer is 30 years old, hubby and I decided to take the plunge and get a new one. The washer isn't doing too well, either, and has been leaking oil for about 8 years so it is being replaced too. So now I sit and wait for the delivery men to bring my new toys. I tried to get the least complicated pair so that I'll be able to use them - you need a Ph.D. to figure out some of these newer ones. Happy laundering -